New era for the Rita sisters: Sister Angela Zehe at the top!

New era for the Rita sisters: Sister Angela Zehe at the top!

Würzburg, Deutschland - Am 18. Juni 2025 darf sich der Orden der Ritaschwestern auf frischen Wind freuen. Sister Angela Zehe was elected new head of General. The decision was made during the general chapter of the Augustinian order, where the sisters came together to advise on the future of their community. Sister Angela not only has a long experience, but has also served in recent years as the deputy of the outgoing head of General, sister Rita-Maria Käß. This has been in the management position since 2006 and leaves great footsteps.

originally from Grettstadt near Schweinfurt, Angela Zee joined the order in 1984 as a novice and in 1992 took her profession for life. In the past six years she worked as a vicar of the head of the General and has shaped the Benedictine Recollectio House in Münsterschwarzach by supporting many people in her spiritual accompaniment. She takes over the new tasks from August 28th, the commemoration day of St. Augustine.

a new era for the ritual sisters

with Sister Angela Zehe at the top, the religious community expects a change. Her successor as a vicar becomes Sister Anna-Maria Kempf, who has so far been the economist of the order. Sister Teresa Reulbach and sister Inge Grehn were also elected as assistants on the board. The Rita sisters themselves are a religious community that is closely linked to the St. Rita of Cascia, which is known as the patronage of the "impossible concern". A deep trust in the power of prayer and forgiveness is what inspires and leads the sisters.

Heilige Rita, born in Umbria in 1381, lived an eventful life that made her a Augustinian. She wanted to enter the order as a young woman, but was married against her will. After the murder of her husband and the death of her two sons, Rita decided to live in a Augustinian monastery in Cascia. Her memorial days, May 22, reminds you not only of her death, but also of her work in the world of people with difficult situations.

ritarbar: tradition and future

The community of the Rita sisters was founded in Würzburg in 1911, originally as a nursing association for poor families. Over the years, the focus was on spiritual accompaniment and diverse social services. The women of the community live and work not only in Germany; They also have branches in Königshofen and Racine in the USA. There they also provide help and bear the name of their patron into the world.

With this new direction and the fresh ideas of Sister Angela, the community is well equipped in order to continue to support people in difficult situations in the future and to continue the legacy of St. Rita. This renewal is not just a sign of the sisters, but a sign of hope for all those who are looking for support and consolation.

The sisters are proud to continue the tradition of St. Rita and believe firmly in the power of their intercession. In this way, this new time will continue to be shaped by belief in the impossible, in the spirit of her patron. For their community and for everyone who counts on their help, this is a new section full of perspectives.